Maidstone United have hired former Billericay Town boss Harry Wheeler as their new manager.

Wheeler was among 54 applicants for the job following Jay Saunders' departure a fortnight ago after seven years in charge.

He was sacked by Billericay last month, a decision owner Glenn Tamplin has since said was a mistake.

Watch the first interview with new Maidstone manager Harry Wheeler

Tamplin tried to get the 30-year-old to go back but he was already on Maidstone's radar.

Maidstone chief executive Bill Williams said: "For me this is not taking a chance, it’s giving a chance – much like we did with Jay some seven years ago.

“Terry (Casey), Oliver (Ash) and I spoke at length with Harry yesterday and we were all agreed afterwards that he ticked every box for us.

"He’s got more than 10 years' coaching experience, managed more than 250 games and is very much in the mould of the character and personality that we want at the club.

“In Harry we’ve got someone who can lead and take our team forward, while also buying into the academy, community and development programmes we’ve got under way and are looking to expand in the future.”

Wheeler won the Bostik Premier as Tamplin's coach last season and led Billericay to the National South summit before his dismissal.

He quit as Welling joint-manager in April 2017 to join Billericay.

Before that, he had a short spell as manager at St Albans, replaced by Ian Allinson after a month.

Wheeler's first game as Stones boss will be at home to National League leaders Harrogate on Saturday.

Billericay head coach Tristan Lewis and sports scientist Craig Lewis have now left New Lodge and seem set to follow Wheeler to the Gallagher.